Littlestown head coach Mike Lippi didn’t have a crystal ball, but he got a glimpse into the future as his team beat Bermudian Springs 21-7 at Thunderbolt Stadium on Friday night.
After an 0-3 start, Lippi’s junior-dominated squad won six of its last seven contests to finish with a winning record (6-4). The Eagles also overcame a terrible start to finish strong (4-6), but left too many opportunities on the table. Berm scored 21 first downs (to 15 for the Bolts) and outgained the hosts, 342-247. Littlestown’s strong defense and wasted chances kept the Eagles on the ground.
“Every time we got inside their 20, we seemed to explode,” Bermuda Springs head coach John Leavelsberger said. “We doomed our chances with too many personal fouls.”
The hosts of the venue flew out of the gate and failed to move the chains in a sleepy first quarter. Berm wasn’t much better, but got a break when the Bolts fumbled and the Eagles fumbled at the Littlestown 36. A pass interference on the fourth drive fueled their drive, and Andrew Smith earned it from the seven early in the second stanza.
Colby Khan’s solid return of 43 propelled the Bolts to success. They crossed the net, and when quarterback Alex Popoff tried to dive behind the line with one foot, the ball was knocked loose and lineman Carson Miller recovered in the end zone. Zian Ger added the tying PAT and the tie held until intermission.
Littlestown showed a spark in the third quarter. After being held to 13 yards in the first half, Hahn came alive in the second half and finished with 104 yards on 13 attempts. The offensive line created running lanes for Khan that led to the go-ahead score. Popoff found Anthony Sheardan open on a layup from the 11 and unleashed a layup that nestled into the hands of the waiting senior running back to put the Bolts down for good.
The Bermudians later scored the opening goal with a chance to equalise, but were thwarted by Littlestown’s defensive wall and their own costly penalties. Lippi’s gang took over on a 24-yard run and marched 76 yards, the final 28 on Hahn’s zigzag run to glory.
“It was a spirited game,” Lippi said. “In the first quarter, we only had three plays, but it finally worked out. There is always a great rivalry between our two schools. The offensive line didn’t track after halftime. Our defense was great.”
Livelsberger wasted the chances that remained on the field.
“We can’t keep shooting ourselves in the foot,” he lamented. “We have to show up and play.”
Sheardan had a pair of sacks to go with the touchdown reception.
Lippi is looking forward to 2023.
“We only have three senior starters,” Lippi explained.
Popoff, Herr, Hahn and Miller return.
Livelsberger also has plenty of talent in the closet.
“We are young,” he said. “We have to learn from our mistakes and prepare for next year.”
Bermuda Springs 0 7 0 0 — 7
BS-Andrew Smith 7 runs (Leo Hernandez kick) 11:54
L-Carson Miller fumble recovery in end zone (kick by Zian Herr) 9:07
L-Anthony Sheardon 11 pass from Alex Popoff (Herr kick) 8:48
L-Colby Hahn 28 run (Herr kick) 8:55
Rushing yards 40-138 29-163
Penalties – yards 9-95 5-45
In a hurry: BS-Carter Storm 11-67, Andrew Smith 7-24, Tyler Staub 11-22, Tyson Carpenter 11-25; L-Colby Hahn 13-104, Bryson Lookingbill 3-37, Anthony Shirdon 6-25, Dylan Herr 3-4, Dylan Herr 1-2, Alex Popoff 3-(-9).
Walkthrough: BS-Carpenter 19-30- 189 -1, Smith 1-1-15-0; L- Popoff 7-14-84-2.
Getting: BS-Jack Gauch 7-82, Smith 4-34, Gabe Cline 3-25, Dylan Hubbard 2-19, Staub 2-9, Storm 1-29, Brennan Hubbard 1-6; L-Nathan Thomas 2-19, Sheerdon 2-15, Caleb Smith 1-28, Z. Herr 1-24, D. Herr 1- (-2).
https://www.gettysburgtimes.com/sports/article_52472084-664d-5577-ae30-f09ae7d81fc1.html
